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Asheville -- Asheville Police Department: March 11, 2021 - After an approximately seven-month long investigation, nine people were arrested

between Thursday, March 4, 2021, and Monday, March 8, 2021, as part of a multi-jurisdictional operation primarily conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), Asheville Police Department, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with numerous other agencies assisting throughout.
The investigation centered on individuals responsible for distributing fentanyl in western North Carolina as families and communities across the state continue to come to grips with the devastation caused by the opioid epidemic. “We’ve seen and heard the horrific stories of how this epidemic has destroyed lives and families,” said Robert Schurmeier, Director of the SBI. “This is a problem that will take communities coming together and law enforcement agencies working together,” he added. “I commend our agents for their tireless efforts to bring people to justice and I am grateful for the Sheriffs and Chief for making the opioid crisis a priority. It’s the work of their men and women and the DEA that allows us to be successful in this fight against opioids,” said Schurmeier. “As we continue to see a connection between violence and drug trafficking, our priority is to continue to work with our partners to stem the tide,” he added.

The primary targets of this ongoing investigation, Theodus Laray Hammond and Anthony Ellison, allegedly conspired to distribute kilogram quantities of fentanyl in Asheville and surrounding areas and utilized a large network of associates to do so.
During search warrants conducted in Buncombe County and Mecklenburg County on March 4, 2021, investigators seized approximately 5.49 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, 13 firearms, more than $800,000 in U.S. currency, numerous high-end vehicles and jewelry. With the 5.49 kilograms seized on Thursday, March 4, 2021, in all, investigators have seized more than 19 kilograms of fentanyl as a result of this investigation. The following is a list of the individuals who have been arrested and charged:
Theodus Hammond
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III) - 7 counts

Anthony Ellison
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III) – 5 counts

Demond Hammond
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III)

Michael Shands
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine (Level I)

Tyquan Ward
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III)

Ray Ailes
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise

Tahja Finley
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise

Gabe Hogan
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III) – 2 counts

Devone Maceo James
-Continuing Criminal Enterprise
-Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin (Level III)

All mug shots can be obtained from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. This investigation is ongoing. Additional drug/trafficking charges and/or arrests may be forthcoming. No additional information is available at this time.
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